Renault’s Fred Vasseur: “It was a tough afternoon for the team”

Fred Vasseur admitted the Brazilian Grand Prix was a difficult one for the Renault Sport Formula 1 Team, especially as both drivers found it difficult to get the Full Wet tyre to work in the difficult conditions at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace.

The Team Principal of the Enstone-based team watched as Kevin Magnussen struggled to fourteenth on Sunday, while Jolyon Palmer was an early retirement due to suspension damage caused in a crash with Daniil Kvyat on the pit straight.

Vasseur is already putting the disappointment of a pointless weekend in Brazil behind him to focus on the season finale in Abu Dhabi at the end of November, where he hopes the team can return to the form that has seen them become genuine points contenders at the end of the season.

“It was a tough afternoon for the team and a tricky race in wet weather conditions for everyone,” said Vasseur. “The biggest issue we encountered was the performance of our car with the full wet tyres.

“We weren’t able to perform over long stints with these sets of tyres and had to switch to intermediate tyres whenever it was possible but in the end it wasn’t enough for us to get into the points with Kevin.

“Unfortunately Jolyon sustained front suspension damage when he hit Kvyat and we had to retire him. We are now looking forward to the ultimate race of the season in Abu Dhabi where I hope we can have a race in better conditions.”